Open Offices in 2026 in Lake County
Indiana’s primary will be held on May 5. You MUST be registered to vote by April 6. Those who will be 17 by Nov. 3 may register and vote in the primary. If you are voting by mail by absentee ballot, follow the guidelines here and request your ballot ASAP here: www.indianavoters.com
During this election, voters from the Democratic and Republican parties select their nominees for federal, state legislative and local offices to advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
This year, all nine U.S. House seats, all 100 Indiana House seats and half of the 50 Indiana Senate seats will be on ballots.
The primary responsibility of representatives in the House at the state and federal levels and state senators is to write and pass bills.
Balletopedia is a great source to see what offices you will vote for in the primary and who is running.
https://ballotpedia.org/Lake_County,_Indiana,_elections,_2026
To see who is on your ballot and your voting location, go to your Indiana voter portal: www.indianavoters.com
Lake County has several open seats in county government:
Assessor
- calculates the value of all real and personal property to ensure fair tax distribution,
- advises township assessors
- maintains property sale records
- processes tax exemptions
- ensures assessments follow state guidelines.
Auditor
- oversees the keeping of all ledgers and records affecting Lake County funds
- sees that such funds are received and disbursed in the manner provided by law
- oversees the duties related to assessment of property and the levy and collection of property tax
- administers the maintenance of all written records of executive and legislative bodies of Lake County Government.
County Board of Commissioners (There are 3 commissioners)
- manages county property
- oversees infrastructure
- enforces ordinances
- maintains county buildings and roads
- administers elections
- acts as the board of finance.
- work alongside the county council, which holds the primary fiscal, budgetary, and legislative powers.
County Council (There are 7 members)
- is the financial power of the county, serving as a check on the Board of County Commissioners.
- fixes the county tax rate
- makes appropriations
- reappropriates and transfers of funds
- adopts annual budgets
- fixes salaries
- levies taxes to provide funds for constructing, repairing and remodeling jails; and furnishes financial assistance to any community center for the mentally handicapped located in the county.
Recorder
The Recorder’s Office records and preserves public records, including Deeds, Mortgages, Liens, Releases, Leases, Articles of Incorporation, Assumed Business Names, Military Discharges, Subdivision Plats, UCC’s (Uniform Commercial Code filings) and other documents. However it does not generally include Court Orders, Decrees, Judgements, Wills, Marriage Licenses, Birth Certificates or Death Certificates.
Sheriff
The Sheriff, as law enforcement officer, is responsible for crime prevention, patrol, traffic enforcement, criminal investigation, scientific evidence collection, arrest of criminals, searches and seizures and all other requirements of contemporary police work.
Treasurer
The Lake County Indiana Treasurer acts as the county’s banker, responsible for collecting, retaining custody of, and disbursing county funds. Key duties include issuing property tax statements, collecting real estate, personal property, and mobile home taxes, handling delinquent tax payments, and investing authorized county funds.
Offices at the township and local levels:
Township trustee
An Indiana Township Trustee is an elected executive serving a four-year term, responsible for local government operations including administering emergency “poor relief” assistance, managing township funds/budgeting, providing fire protection, maintaining cemeteries and parks. They ensure essential services are provided to residents.
Trustee board members
Indiana township board members act as the legislative body for the township. Key duties include adopting the annual budget, fixing tax rates/levies, approving township contracts, setting salaries for township employees, and reviewing the trustee’s financial reports.
Precinct Committee People.
Acts as the primary liaison between their political party and voters, focusing on grassroots organization. Key duties include knocking on doors, voter registration, recruiting poll workers, attending county meetings, and promoting candidates to boost voter turnout within their specific precinct.
Other offices include town and city council members and delegates to the party convention.
Sources: https://lakecountyin.gov/departments/; https://ripleycounty.in.gov/assessor/duties/
